Toho Tigers quarterback Sabby Meassick evades a pass rush during their spring game against the Poinciana Eagles. (Photo/Taylor McFee)
Eights were wild on Wednesday night as Tohopekaliga quarterback Sabby Meassick (#8) and Poionciana quarterback Kamari Lewis (#8) put on offensive shows in a controlled scrimmage that served as spring football game for both teams at Tiger Stadium.
Meassick, the rising senior who has already set county career passing records for yards, completions and touchdowns, completed 24 of 38 passes for 362 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 51 yards and led two other scoring drives. “I felt going into the spring, our offensive line and Sabby would be the strength of our team this year and nothing changed my mind from the scrimmage,” Tohopekaliga coach Anthony Paradiso said. “Our line gave Sabby a lot of time to throw and he did a good job delivering the ball on time.”
Poinciana, who posted only its third non-losing season last year with an 8-3 mark but graduated 90 percent of its offense including all-county quarterback Cam Brown, may have found its replacement in Lewis. The senior transfer completed eight of 12 passes for 174 yards and also gained 125 yards on the ground – including an electrifying 60yard run.
Through three quarters, each team was given 10 plays starting at their 30, with no punting. The final quarter was played under mostly game-conditions (four plays to make a first down).
Paradiso said it was fun for his players to finally hit someone in a different colored jersey.
“When you are practicing against yourself every day it can get old plus it is hard to evaluate what you really have,” the veteran coach said. “Without looking at the film, I thought our defense line and linebackers were ahead of schedule.”
One area Paradiso said was a concern was running back, where graduations and a transfer left the Tigers backfield without any experienced players. “We used four guys tonight and several ran hard,” Paradiso said. “Hopefully they will continue to develop and someone will come out and win the job in training camp.” Gavin Aponte (5-27) was the leading ball carrier from the Tigers behind Meassick, who scrambled for 54 yards on four carries.
For Eagles coach Taron Mallard, the scrimmage was a “learning experience for both the players and coaches.
Thin on numbers, Poinciana dressed just five total linemen, four of which played almost every snap on both offense and defense. Mallard sited the play of 6-5, 370-lb. lineman Deante Burbank and linebacker Jakobi Hines for their efforts.
In addition to Lewis, junior wide receivers Chance Frazier and Aiden Lopez and running back Sean Abdul had solid games for the Eagles.
Meassick found eight different receivers, including Tre Punter —a rising senior who caught 11 balls for 115 yards and a touchdown. A two-way player, Punter also had a big night on defense with several tackles and a 82-yard interception return for a touchdown.
AJ Wise added seven catches for 109 yards and a score and Tashaun Dillard had two grabs for 52 yards.
Bradley Welk also had an 18yard TD reception.
